Portraits of Britain four-coin set is back for the third time and showcasing seats of power
Back for its third set in four years, the Royal Mint have announced the release of Portraits of Britain 3. As before, it’s a four coin set showcasing elements of Britain and the British Isles, with each year having a tight central theme. In 2014, the set depicted some of the capitals biggest and most iconic buildings. After skipping 2015, the 2016 set went for some of the beautiful natural landmarks that make up the British Isles. This year the theme appears to be seats of power.
The four one-standard ounce sterling silver coins each take a well known building that does, or did, wield considerable influence over the history of the United Kingdom. Number 10 Downing Street is the current home of the Prime Minister, Edinburgh Castle the former home of Scottish kings, Westminster Abbey the head of the Anglican church, and Hampton Court Palace a former home of English monarchs. Four locations that have held so much sway over not just British history, but that of lands far from these shores.
Designed by Laura Clancy and Glyn Davies again, the vision is identical to the previous two sets. A loose, dramatic style of art depicts the locations, one relying heavily on the use of angles and perspective. We liked it before and we like it here. The trichromatic colouring is subtle and undefined, giving a watercolour look to the finished article that works well. The obverse depicts Jody Clark’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II along with all inscriptions bar the coin title; that sits on the main reverse face.
The mintage is down to just 1,500 sets this year, of which the mint has already pre-reserved 75%. Total mintage of each coin is listed at 2,017. Where these other 517 coins will appear is unknown at present. One of the coins in the first set has just been re-released as a one-ounce fine-silver bullion coin with a 50,000 mintage and there are plans for others in that set to follow. It’s entirely possible that what you’re looking at here are some 2019/2020 designs for new bullion coins. Even at a price of £310.00 we can see this one being popular. Available now and shipping at the end of the month. If you’re going to buy, please use the banner lower down as we’ll get a small commission at no cost to you and it will help keep AgAuNEWS buzzing.
2017 PORTRAITS OF BRITAIN SILVER COIN SET
MINTS DESCRIPTION
Two Royal Mint Engravers have teamed up for the third year to capture watercolour-style portraits of some of Britain’s best loved landmarks on commemorative sterling silver £5 coins, known as the Portrait of Britain collection.
In contrast to the natural landmarks featured in the 2016 Portrait of Britain collection, this year’s subjects will focus on the iconic architecture of buildings in London and Edinburgh that are recognised worldwide, and visited by thousands of tourists every year. Each one of them has played a key role in influencing Britain’s cultural heritage.
10 Downing Street, one of the most recognisable private residences in the world, has been home to British Prime Ministers for nearly 300 years, while Edinburgh Castle has served as the seat of Scotland’s kings and queens for centuries, dominating the city skyline. Hampton Court Palace was owned by Henry VIII, the most famous and flamboyant monarch of the Tudor dynasty, while Westminster Abbey has seen kings and queens crowned and buried since 1066.
Designers Glyn Davies and Laura Clancy start by painting the scenes in watercolour, before going through the painstaking process of engraving every last detail onto the tools needed to strike these collectable coins. A ‘trichromatic’ colour printing process, rarely used by The Royal Mint, was then used to re-create the subtle colouring of the designers’ original artwork.
PRESENTATION BOX AND OBVERSE
THE DESIGNERS
Laura Clancy studied three-dimensional crafts at the University of Brighton and previously taught art and metalwork. Her projects for The Royal Mint include works to commemorate the Royal Air Force and the 90th anniversary of the First World War and the fine silver face-value UK £100 coin for £100, featuring Buckingham Palace.
“After the busy city-based landmarks of the first series and the coastal and rural settings of the second series, this series took us behind closed doors of state buildings. These are places we know from state events, places of historical significance – they were a real privilege to visit.”
Glyn Davies worked as an animator before gaining a Master’s Degree in Post Production at Bournemouth University. He subsequently worked as a set designer, video editor and motion graphic designer before joining The Royal Mint, where his projects have included a medal for the Zoological Society and The Remembrance Day 2015 Alderney £5 Coin.
“Although we have a way of working and a style that runs through the full series, we consider each group of landmarks as a set and aim to reflect this in the designs we produce.”
SPECIFICATION
| NAME | 2017Â PORTRAITS OF BRITAIN |
| DENOMINATION | £5 UKP |
| COMPOSITION | 0.925 silver |
| WEIGHT | 28.28 grams per coin |
| DIAMETER | 38.61 mm per coin |
| FINISH | Proof |
| MODIFICATIONS | Trichromatic colouring |
| MINTAGE | 1,500 sets |
| BOX / COA | Yes / Yes |
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